Obama had also proposed reducing agricultural subsidies to farmers with sales of more than half a million dollars a year, a notion that farm-state senators like Conrad, who have disproportionate influence on the Budget and Finance Committees, rejected.
India is reluctant to cut its own farm tariffs but has a big interest in liberalising trade in services, wanting more freedom in everything from finance to health care to entertainment.
The top tip for the finance ministry is Antonio Palocci, the youngish former mayor of a city in Sao Paulo's farm belt, who now heads the transition team.